Labornet Japan is a network of citizens, unionists, activists, scholars and others from all walks of life to share information especially about rights and struggles in and outside of Japan. Established in 2001, the group now has more than 500 members, and the membership is growing. The English site introduces some reports shared on Labornet Japan website and other sources outside of Japan.

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Upon the visit of the Japanese Emperor and Empress to
the Philippines,members and supporters of Toyota Motor Philippines
Corporation Workers Association (TMPCWA) staged protest on Jan. 27 in several
places in Manila demanding the Japanese automaker to solve the 15-year long
massive dismissal case in line with recent ILO recommendations. In front of the
Malacanang Palace where President Aquino hosted a welcome dinner for the royal
couple that day, workers and their families and friends appealed that solving
the issue of violation of Filipino workers’ rights by a subsidiary of a
Japanese giant multinational corporation should be recognized as an essential
piece in building true friendship between the two countries, holding
envelope-shaped signs. They conducted similar actions
in front of the Japanese embassy and major business bases of George Ty, the
local co-owner of TMPC.

Regarding the case of TMPCWA where 233 union officers
and members were dismissed in 2001 as part of union busting by the company, the
International Labour Organization have recognized it as violation of workers’
right to organizing and collective bargaining and urged the government of the
Philippines in its recommendations of 2012 and 2013 to take actions for the
solution of the labor dispute. In October 2015, the international body issued
another recommendation..

The
Department of Labor and Employment of the government of the Philippines has
been interceding with the union and the company to reach a solution in line
with the ILO recommendations, but Toyota Philippines has not been responsive.
TMPCWA and their supporters demand that the parent company in Japan, Toyota
Motor Co. intervene into the case to take responsibility of the misconducts of
its subsidiary and expedite the solution.